Courage Campaign Says Nike’s Financial Support for Trump Makes Them Complicit in Support His Agenda

NEW YORK -- Nike is facing renewed calls to relocate their flagship Niketown store from New York City’s Trump Tower, after the President defended white supremacist violence in Charlottesville that took the life of one anti-racism protester and injured 19 others. A petition, from the California-based Courage Campaign, calling for Nike to relocate Niketown and end their financial support for Donald Trump has been signed by more than 72,000 people.

Last year, Courage Campaign called on Nike to sever ties with Trump after he was caught bragging about sexually assaulting women to Billy Bush in a leaked 2005 Access Hollywood video. Nike ultimately signed a new lease with a non-Trump building nearby, but has not publicly commented on their plans for the current space in Trump Tower. Now, Courage Campaign is renewing the effort, saying that Nike’s continued association with Trump is just completely unacceptable.

“Nike is a brand that boasts constant displays of dedication to diversity and inclusion,” said Eddie Kurtz, Executive Director of Courage Campaign. “But when Courage Campaign called on the company to disassociate itself from Donald Trump’s racist, misogynistic, and bigoted brand last year, as Trump faced over 10 allegations of sexual assault, Nike refused. That was already too far. Now, the world is watching as our President rushes to the defense of torch-wielding neo-nazis and white supremacists and their violent attacks in Charlottesville. It is time for Nike to choose which side of history they will stand on and end their financial support for Trump and his companies. Anything less means that Nike is complicit in supporting Trump’s insidious and racist agenda.”

Flagship stores like Niketown are crucial for companies, as their strategic placements in prominent cities around the globe generate foot traffic and high volumes of sales, while increasing the brand’s value and reputation through association with similar, or higher valued brands. Nike currently leases the space for NikeTown from Donald Trump valued at $200m. According to Nike, “diversity and inclusion are key levers in continuing to drive its creativity and innovation” and Courage Campaign argues that Trump’s rhetoric and values are inconsistent with Nike’s brand.

In 2015, Macy’s cut ties with Donald Trump’s brand after the Republican frontrunner called Mexican immigrants “rapists,” derided and objectified women by calling them “bimbos,” “fat pigs,” and in one case, “ a young and beautiful piece of ass.” In 2016, Nike immediately dropped Manny Pacquiao for his abhorrent remarks on same-sex couples. It cut ties with Maria Sharapova right away after she announced that she failed a drug test.

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